Narok: 'Kakenya Dream' is a Narok-based non-profit organisation that was started with the aim of rescuing vulnerable children and girls subjected to early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The dream that began in 2009 with only 30 girls has grown to be a huge organisation that has given hope to over 1000 girls who were on the verge of being married off at a tender age. The organisation founder, Dr. Kakenya Ntaiyia, prides herself on having given full scholarships to the girls up to tertiary levels, most of whom have now become professionals.
According to Kenya News Agency, 'The girls we have sponsored are now changing stories in the community. Most parents want to see their daughters successful and that is our joy too,' Dr. Kakenya proudly said. Her dream, she revealed, was inspired by her experience as she narrowly escaped early marriages after her family members organised to marry her off at her teenage age. 'My experience was too bitter, I told myself. I have to do something to help girls in my society who were subjected to the same retrogressive culture,' she narrated. Dr. Kakenya was speaking at Zebu Lounge during a gender stakeholders meeting a few days after the organisation launched a strategic plan for its operations.
Among the stakeholders present were Members of the Narok County Assembly, Gender officers from both the County and national government, social services, and the children and education department. Also present were various organisations that deal with gender issues and are based in Narok County. Apart from sponsoring the girl's education, the organisation has also trained 40,215 boys and girls on their rights and health through its outreach programme dubbed 'Jijue Health and Leadership Training'. Kakenya Dream also runs a health clinic and wellness centre located in the Isampin area in Trans Mara West Sub County.
During the forum, Dr. Kakenya shared with the stakeholders her new initiative on climate change, saying her organisation is working to respond to rising poverty levels caused by unpredictable and destructive weather patterns. Many families rely on agriculture for their livelihood and with prolonged droughts and destructive rains, many farmers were counting losses, observed Dr. Kakenya. 'This is why we will integrate environmental education into our programmes and we will lead community-wide conservation and climate resilience projects,' she told the stakeholders.
She also observed that the economic difficulties were a major challenge that communities were experiencing following the increased population of jobless young people. In response to this, she said her organisation has included employability and entrepreneurship training where young people are trained on job-hunting skills and supported through recommendations to join job markets. Nominated MCA Ms. Caroline Nangea praised Kakenya Dream, saying she has witnessed the organisation rescuing many vulnerable girls and giving them hope in life. She challenged all non-profit organisations based in the county to focus on implementing their mandate of supporting the community and leave an impact. 'Please help the girls and boys have a bright future. Let your impact be felt on the ground,' she reiterated.